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Commission backs allowing barbershops and beauty shops in manufacturing zones with parking review
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Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council amend Zoning Code §155.181 to permit barber and beauty shops in limited manufacturing zones (and M‑1/M‑2 by extension), subject to an approved parking‑justification study; the commission approved Resolution 318‑2026, 5‑0.
The Santa Fe Springs Planning Commission on April 13 recommended that the City Council amend Zoning Code §155.181 to allow barbershops and beauty shops as permitted uses in the limited manufacturing zone. The commission adopted Resolution No. 318‑2026 by a unanimous 5‑0 vote.
Laurel Reimer, planning consultant, said the proposal would expand access to personal care services in a city whose land inventory is predominantly industrial. “The proposal before the planning commission tonight is to amend section 155.181, which is the principal permitted uses within the limited manufacturing zone, which would allow for barbershops and beauty shops to be allowed, as permitted uses within the limited manufacturing zone,” Reimer said. Because the code’s build rule extends permitted uses in the limited manufacturing zone to M‑1 and M‑2 zones, the change would allow these services across the city’s manufacturing areas.
Staff emphasized a parking‑justification requirement: a barber or beauty shop would be permitted only after a parking justification study is reviewed and approved by the Director of Community Development to ensure compatibility and avoid spillover into adjacent businesses. Reimer said parking studies typically address operations, employee counts, and appointment scheduling, and staff argued the zoning change is exempt from CEQA under the common‑sense exemption (CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3)) because it does not allow new development on its own. The project was publicly noticed on March 24, 2026 and staff reported no public comments.
Commissioners expressed general support for the amendment as a way to encourage small businesses in lower‑cost industrial spaces. Several commissioners urged careful parking standards: one recommended calibrating parking to the number of service chairs, and another cautioned that nail salons and other high‑turnover personal services create different parking demands. No public speakers addressed the item.
The Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 318‑2026 and forwarded the proposed zoning code amendment to the City Council for ordinance introduction and subsequent readings; staff noted an ordinance would require two readings and would take effect 30 days after council adoption.
